How to Find a Building Contractor
You’re finally going ahead with that construction project you’ve dreamed of for years. Whether it’s a new build, a renovation or an extension, selecting a reputable and reliable building contractor is a huge decision.
To take that big step and start paying for the work, you must feel confident and comfortable with the building project’s progress and excited about the end result. Plus, you want to avoid any nasty and expensive surprises!
An excellent builder is worth their weight in gold. H & OB Building in Witney, Oxfordshire, is an expert in all aspects of renovation and construction. We’ve used our years of experience to put together five things to look for to help you choose the right building contractor for your construction project.
1. A Full-service Building Contractor
Managing a construction project is a daunting task. You must monitor budgets, juggle craftspeople, and keep on top of construction schedules – it is a full-time job! It’s no wonder many developers hire construction project managers to keep up with all the trades and elements involved.
Choose a firm that can cover all the bases to save yourself a logistical nightmare and additional expenses. It’s a solution that saves time, stress, and money.
2. Choose a Contractor that has Experience in Similar Projects
When looking for a building contractor, always check if they have worked on home improvement projects similar to the one you are planning. Look for photos and videos on their website.
Social media helps here, too – ensure you go right back over many years and check the dates of the posts. If they go back a number of years, and the company is consistently posting, you can judge how long they’ve been in business. Scammers will often have many posts added on similar dates or within a month of each other.
A real-life way to check out some building projects is to visit the geographical site they claim to have completed. How does it look to you? You may even find someone to chat with, which would help you decide.
Whether you are looking for a sympathetic restoration of a period property, an extension, a loft conversion or any other building work on your property, seeing pictures and videos of projects like the one you have in mind will give you the confidence to make an educated decision.
Check out H & OB Building’s online portfolio to see some stunning examples of our recent work for our happy customers.
3. Excellent Testimonials and Reviews
Testimonials are the modern internet version of a ‘word of mouth’ recommendation. If a construction company has good testimonials on their website, with pictures, it shows that the customer is happy.
With Google and Facebook Reviews, you can click through to see the profile of the person who posted the review. Just ensure that each profile looks accurate.
Building contractors should ask the customer for permission to publish a review on their website, but this isn’t always the case, so be careful.
Perhaps you could post in local groups to see if other people have had a good experience with the building contractor you are considering. We find locals helpful when asking for advice like this.
You can ask the building contractor themselves for recommendations – it is not unheard of to contact the person who provided the recommendation.
4. Memberships in Professional Bodies
Being a member of a reputable professional body is a sign that the building contractor operates with skill and integrity. Membership is never automatic; any member company must undergo regular and rigorous assessments.
Therefore, choosing a building or house renovation contractor that is a member of a prestigious body such as The Guild of Mastercraftsmen gives you the added peace of mind that you can trust your chosen provider to deliver a high-quality service.
H & OB Building is a member of The Guild of Mastercraftsmen. This exclusive trade body has very high entry requirements and stringent regulations for membership, and we are proud to be members. It gives our customers the confidence that they are in good hands. We also have this in the footer of our website and a link on our contact page, so it can’t be mistaken.
Remember to check the professional body first – anyone can add an official-looking logo to their website.
5. A Building Contractor Must Work Well with Architects
For any new build or extension, you will need the services of an architect. You may need an architect for a renovation, too, depending on the scope and scale of the job.
An architect interprets your vision as a workable plan on paper. The building contractor is the professional who makes these dreams a bricks-and-mortar reality.
Therefore, choosing a contractor with extensive and documented experience working alongside architects makes sense. The contractor’s role should include advising on budgets, timescales, and achievability and working with architects to deliver excellent results.
You could even ask your architect for a reputable building contractor – they would have worked with many firms in the building industry.
H & OB Building is Your Oxfordshire Building Contractor
At H & OB Building, we have a full range of in-house services, including plumbing and building services, kitchen and bathroom fitting, plastering, painting and decorating, and landscaping. We can cover every aspect of your construction project. Our comprehensive in-house skill set means you’ll deal with one team to help you make your property dream a reality. Rest assured, we have everything covered.
H & OB Building in Witney, Oxfordshire, can proudly state that we fit all those five critical criteria for an excellent building contractor. With nearly 30 years of experience in the building and development industry, we will build your dream Oxfordshire property and manage the project for you from start to finish.
If you have a building or renovation project that you’d like to discuss, please get in touch. We look forward to working with you!